Shell-assembling machine.



H. TALLEY.

SHELL ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.24,1912.

1,105,937, Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

2 SHEETS--SHEET l 1 WZTNESSES THE NORRIS PETERS (U PHOTUALITHOH WASHINGTON, D C

H. TALLEY.

SHELL ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 1912.

10 937 Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Jigiz.

TH NORRIS PETERS CO, PHOTO-LITHO. WASHINGTON, D. C. A

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

nmmnn'r TALLEY, OF J'OPLI'N, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO HERCULES POWDER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SHELL-ASSEMBLING MACHINE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HERBERT TALLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Joplin, county of Jasper, and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shell-Assembling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shell assembling machines.

Explosive gelatin dynamite is put up in paper cartridges or shells. This operation,

. relates.

The present invention is set forth in my application on shell filling and closing machines, Serial No. 691,825, filed April 19, 1912, as it is well adapted for use in connection with the machine and the automatic motive fluid pressure operating system thereof disclosed in the said application, but the present machine constitutes an independent invention in various respects, among which are the construction and manner of cooperation of the mechanisms thereof by which the shells are first arranged in rows and then in units, whether these mechanisms be operated by motive fluid pressure, hand, or other means, and in another respect, the invention is independent, 2'. 6., in the arrangement and cooperation of motive fluid pressure means for the parts thereof and, still further, means for controlling the motive fluid pressure means.

The invention has for its objects the provision of a shell assembling machine which will be adapted to accurately position and assemble the shells in proper relation for transfer into the corresponding receptacles or pockets of the shuttle; second, to provide new means for pushing or delivering the shells thus assembled into the shuttle when the latter is in position to receive them; third, to provide novel means for assembling the shells without possibility of denting or in juring them; fourth, to provide novel means for passing the assembled shells from the machine to the shuttle without danger of 1n ury to the shells; fifth, to provide novel operating means for the mechanisms of the machine, particularly, operating means arranged to form an interlock so as to prevent premature operation of any parts which would result in damage to the shells or to the machine; sixth, to provide new motive fluid pressure controlling means for the assembling and delivering mechanisms.

The invention consists in the provision of new means, individual and cooperative, for carrying out the several objects above enumerated as well as others not specifically set forth but which will presently appear.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, certain parts being in full lines; F ig. 2, a horizontal section, certain parts being in full lines; Fig. 3, a cross section, certain parts being in full lines; Fig. 4, a detail view showing how one of the pusher pins engages and moves a shell; Fig. 5, a detail perspective view of one of the division plates; Fig. 6, a similar view of the carriage; and Fig. 7, a diagram of the fluid pressure means, valves and pipe connections for controlling and operating the shell assembling mechanism.

At 27 there is shown in a diagrammatic manner, a shell holder or shuttle to illustrate the use of the present invention which is designed to place the paper shells or can tridges in the shuttle. Any type of shell holding shuttle 27 may be employed. As generally constructed, these shuttles are provided with parallel rows of shell holding pockets or receptacles. The present machine is adapted to assemble as many shells as there are shell holding pockets in the shuttle and to position them exactly in the relationship of the pockets so that when the I shuttle is in proper position, the assembled shells may be introduced by the machine into the shuttle.

The operative mechanisms of the machine are supported by a frame l Surmounting the frame 1 is an elongated guide frame having tracks 81 extending lengthwise thereof and parallel to each other. Mounted to travel on these tracks by sliding thereon or by the use of rollers, is a carriage 82 which is provided with shelves 83 corresponding in number to the number of rows of shell-holding pockets or receptacles in of the shuttle. Leading to these shelves 83 are inclined guides 84 corresponding in number thereto whose extremities 85 are more nearly parallel to the shelves 83'than I are the guides 84. The parts 85-beingnearly horizontal, do not tend to dent or crush the shells when coming in contact with them and they direct them to the guides 84, which, due to their greater inclination, more rapidly direct paper shells to. the shelves 83, aswill presently. appear. The shelves 83, inclined guides 84 and "parts 85 are arranged in two parallel sets above the tracks 81, there being'a space between the said sets for the-accommodation of the vertically extending agitators and division plates 86. The carriage 82 carries serpentine or other suitable cam tracks 87 on which the lower ends of the division plates 86 rest, legs 88 having rollers 89 being preferably provided for this purpose. The shell holding hopper 90 which contains the shells 91 is arranged so that the outlet 92 receives the upper ends of the division plates 86. The parts being in this position, the shells 91 naturally fall in superposed position between the division plates 86,.but to prevent any crowding or inequality of positioning, the division plates 86 are arranged to vibrate up and down as the carriage82 moves to and fro. The shells are supported at their ends by the lower part of frame 82, as shown in Fig. 1.

Slidably mounted on the frame 1 so as to move at right angles to thecarriage 82 is another carriage 93 which carries the pusher pins 94 corresponding in number to the shell-holding receptacles or pockets in the shuttle 27. The free ends of these pusher pins 94 are pointed at 95, there being provided a shoulder 96 which is of a proper size to engage the edge of the shell at. its mouth after the pointed end 95 has entered the shell. The pointed ends 95 insure the engagement of the pusher pins with the shells without likelihood of damaging the latter, the pointed construction permit-ting the end of the pin to easily enter the mouth of the shell and the shoulder 96 efiecting the "pushing of the shells into the shuttle 27 from between the division plates 86, and off ofthe shelves 83. A cylinder 97 carried by frame 1 and a piston 98 therein which has a piston rod 99 connected to carriage 82, afiords means for causing the carriage 82 to play to and fro. A cylinder 100 secured to frame 1 has a piston 101 and piston rod 102 connected to the frame 93, whereby the frame 93 and the pusher pins 94 are made to moveto and fro. The compressed air is admitted to cylinder 97 through pipe 103,

in turn automatically controlled, as will presently appear. Compressed air is ad- I and ready to be pushed into them. The dis- .will presently appear, following this operby the use of compressed air and in so far as operate these mechanisms by the use of the mitted to cylinder 100 by pipe 104 and automatically controlled in a manner hereinafter set forth. At the lower end (Fig. 7) of the cylinder 97 two by-pass pipes 105 and 106 connect that cylinder with the right hand end (Fig. 7) of cylinder 100. Assuming that the shell holding shuttle 27 is in p01 sition for the placing therein of the shells 91, and that they have dropped into the spaces betweenthe division plates 86, the carriages 82 and 93 being in retracted position as shownin Figs. 1 and 2. lVhen pressure is supplied through pipe 103 to cyl inder 97 it forces the piston 98 to the lower I end (F ig. 7) of the cylinder. This movement is not abrupt, due to the provisionhof an oil check 150 embodying a piston in a cylinder containing oil,'the piston being connected to thecarriage 82 and having a loose fit in the cylinder, allowing the. oiloto gradually flow. or leakpast it as the piston moves The carriage 82 by its travel, causes the receiving parts to enter under the shells between the division plates 86, without injury to the. shells, the shells-being let down the inclined guides 84 until they eventually rest upon the shelves 83 in a, po sition lower than that in which they formerly reposed. When the shelves 83 are ar ranged crosswise of the division plates 86, the shells are assembled or classified in a manner corresponding to the shell holding pockets or receptacles in the shuttle 27- and I they are exactly inline with those pockets position of the shelves 83 crosswise of the divisionplates 86 occurs when the piston 98 has passed beyond the point where the pipe enters cylinder 97, and as'soon as this 9 occurs the pressure from pipe 103 passes via 105 pipe 105 into the cylinder 100, immediately forcing the piston 101 to the left-hand end of the cylinder 100 (Fig. 7) carrying with it the frame 93 and the pusher pins 94 whose points 95 first enter the shells and 110 whose shoulders then push the shells into the pockets or receptacles in the shuttle 27. An oil check 151, similar to oil check 150,

prevents abrupt movement of frame 93. As

ation, the controlling mechanism may open the pipe 103 to exhaust and pressure may be admitted to pipe 104 to force the piston 101 back to'its normalposition, whereupon the pressure entering through pipe 104 enters i pipe 106 and forces piston 98 back to its normal position. a v

The shell assembling mechanisms ofrthe present machine. may be operated other than the construction and cooperation of those mechanisms are concerned,.they constitute an lnvention by themselves, but I prefer to cylinders 97 and 100 and their pistons which system set forth in my application Serial No. 691825, filed April 19, 1912, on shell fillin and closing machines. At 107 is disclose a four-way pilot valve. Air pressure from any suitable source is supplied to the valve casing by a pipe 108; 109 is an ex- 7 haust branch for the valve. At 110 is shown a controlling cylinder, one end of which has a ipe connection 111 with the four-way v ve 107 and the opposite end a pipe connection 112 with the said valve 107. Any

suitable means, such as a lever 113 carried by valve 107, may be employed for turning it. At 116 is a four-way master valvewhich is operated by a piston 117 in cylinder 110. 137' is a pipe connecting the master valve to the cylinder 97 104 is a pipe connecting the cylinder 100 to the pipe 131 leading to the master valve 116. At 133 is shown a valve which permits a quick introduction of pressure through pipe 104 to cylinder 100 or a slow exhaust therefrom. At 132 is a pressure checking valve which momentarily cuts down the pressure introduced via pipe 137 into cylinder 97. When the pilot valve 107 is in one position, it admits the pressure from pipe 108 through pipe 111 to cylinder 110, thereupon throwing master valve 116 to a position where the pressure will pass through pipes 131, and 104, into cylinder 100, whereupon piston 101 will position the pusher pins 94 and their carriage 93 in retracted position. The pressure will then also flow via pipe 106 into cylinder 97 and force back the piston therein, retracting the carriage 82. The pressure back of the piston in cylinder 97 will also exhaust through pipes 103, 137, valve 132, master valve 116, and exhaust pipe 128. When thus arranged, the parts are in their normal positions. It now, the pilot valve 107 be turned a quadrants distance, pressure will flow from pipe 108 into pipe 112 and into cylinder 110, forcin the piston therein to the other end of the cy inder and turning the master valve 110 a quadrants distance, whereupon pipe 108 will be placed in communication with pipe 137, the pressure meanwhile being checked at 132. The pressure will flow from pipe 137 into cylinder 97, forcing the piston 98 to the lower end (Fig. 7 of cylinder 97 and pushing the carriage 82 to the other end of its track, thereby causing the shelves 83 to subdivide the rows of shells 91. Immediately this occurs, however, the piston 98 permits the pressure from cylinder 97 to flow via pipe 105 into cylinder 100 and thereupon forces the piston 101 to the far end of the cylinder 100, but before this action has taken place, the pipes 101 and 131, have permitted the pressure in cylinder 100 to can haust through master valve 116 and branch 128 so that there is no opposition to the advance of the piston 101. Immediately the piston 101 advances, the pusher pins 94: cause their tips 95 to center in the shells 91 and the shoulders 96 then engage the mouths of the shells and push the latter into the pockets in the shuttle 27. On turning the valve 107 back to its former position, the parts will be restored to normal position and an empty shuttle 27 can then be brought into position for filling. Immediately the carriage 82 is back in normal position, additional shells 91 drop down between the division plates 86 so that another batch of shells may be immediately assembled and placed in the empty shuttle.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a shell assemblins' machine, the combination with division plates for arranging the shells in separated rows, of division shelves for separating the respective shells of the different rows from each other while said rows are stationary.

In shell. assembling machine, the combination with division members for ing the shells in separated rois's, of c1=ision members for separating the respective shells of the dii fereut rows from each other, said sets of division members adapted for movement in general cross relation to each other v. .thout displacementof the shells from their initial row arrangeinent, whereby the shells may be assembler. i rows and the shells of the r A ve rows then separated from each otner when in their initial row arrangement and position.

3. In a shell assembling machine, the combination with division members adapted to assemble the shells in rows arranged substatially vertically, the sh lls in each row being horizontal and ten -.g each other, of a plurality of shelves, the members of which are adapted to space or separate the individual shells of the respective rows and to support them while the rows 01 shells re main in their initial arrangement and position.

.1-. In a shell assembling machine, the combination with division members adapted to assemble the shells in rows arranged substantially vertically, of a plurality of shelves, the members of which are adapted to space or separate the individual shells of the respective rows and to support them, the set of division members ant. the set of shelves being adapted for relative movement crosswise of each other, whereby the shelves enter sidewise between the shells without displacement of the latter when the shells are in their initial arrangement.

5. In a shell assembling machine, the combination with means for arranging the shells in rows, and shell supporting means adapted for relative crosswise movement to the shells to separate the individual shells of the respective rows when said rows are in initial position, of shell displacing or ejecting means movablecrosswise in relation to the means aforesaid and adapted to act on the shells when they are in their'initial row position.

6, In a shell assembling machine, the combination with a plurality of upright division members adapted to arrange the shells in upright rows, of a plurality of shelves adapted for movement in general crosswise relation to the shells between the division members and to subdivide the rows of shells and support them, and a plurality of pusher'pins arranged to move in the shell holding cells or spaces defined by the division members and shelves in the direction of the length ofthe shells adapted for ejecting the shells from the cells.

7. In a machine for assembling shells, the

combination with means for initially arrange ing the shells in assembled and spaced relation in the positions they will assume when in the shell holding devices of a shell holding shuttle, of a plurality of movably mounted pusher pins adapted to displace the assembled shells while they-are thus initially assembled and spaced, so that they may be delivered directly int i a shell holding shuttle from initially assembled position.

8. In a machine for assembling shells, the combination with means for initially arranging the shells in assembled and spaced relation corresponding to the relative positions they will assume when in the shell holding devices of a shell holding shuttle,

of means for thereafter delivering the assembled shells directly into the shuttle.

9. In a machine for assembling shells, the combination with means for arranging the shells in rows, of a plurality of movably mounted shelves having inclined guides adapted to enter between the shells of the res )ective rows and space and direct them to the shelves.

10. In a machine for assembling shells, the .combinationwith means for arranging the shells in rows, of a plurality of movably mounted shelves having inclined guides adapted to enter between the shells of the respective rows and space and direct them to the shelves, and means adapted to engage the shells and push them from the shelves, whereby they may be delivered to a shell holding shuttle.

11. In a shell assembling machine, the combination with a shell holding hopper, of movable division members arranged so that the shells in the hopper may enter between them, means for separating or spacing the individual shells when the shells are in rows between the division members, and means for moving the division members during the movement of said shell separating or spacing means. i c 12. In' a shell assembling machine, the combination with a shell holding hopper, of

movable division members arranged so that the shells in the hopper may enter between them, means for separating or spacing the between the. division members, and means operated by the shell separating or spacing means adapted for moving the division mem:

bers during the movement of said shellseparating means.

' 13. In a shell assembling machine, the combination with a hopper adapted to contain the'shells, of reciprocatable division members arranged so that the shells may enter therebetween from the hopper to thereby dispose the shells in rows, a carriage, shell separating shelves carried by the carriage which are adapted to enter between and to 7 5 respective shells when the shells are in rows 7 support the respective shells of the rows c aforesaid, means on the carriage adapted to reciprocate the division members during the movement of'the carriage, and a plurality of pusher pins positioned to engage the ends of the shells and adapted for pushing the shells out of their'assembled position, where'- by they may be delivered directly into a shell holding shuttle.

15. In a shell assembling machine, the, is

combination with means for assembling the I shells, of a plurality of pusher pins corresponding in number to the shells intended to be shifted and having reduced ends adapted to enter the mouths of the shells and provided with parts adapted, respectively, to

abut the ends of the shells, said pinsbeing arranged and adapted to shells out of position. 7

16. In a shell assembling machine, the combination with fluid pressure operated means for initially assembling the shells in the spaced condition corresponding to that assumed by them in a shell holder, of other fluid pressure operated means for displacing the assembled shells for delivery to a shell holding shuttle.

17. In a shell assembling machine, the

combination with fluid pressure operated push the assembled means for initially assembling the shells in the spaced condition corresponding to that assumed by them in a shell holder, of other fluid pressure operated means for displacing the assembled shells for delivery to a shell holding shuttle, and means adapted to cause the operation of the fluid pressure operated shell displacing means subsequent to the initial assembling of the shells.

18. In a shell assembling machine, the combination with fluid pressure operated means for assembling the shells in the spaced condition corresponding to that assumed by them in a shell holder, of other fluid pressure operated means for displacing the assembled shells for delivery'to a shell holding shuttle, and means controlled by the fluid pressure operated means of the assembling means which regulates the action of the fluid pressure operated means of the shell displacing means aforesaid.

19. In a shell assembling machine, the combination with means for assembling the shells in the spaced condition corresponding to that assumed by them in a shell holder, of other means for displacing the assembled and spaced shells whereby they may be de livered to a shell holding shuttle, actuating means for the shell assembling means, other actuating means for the shell displacing means, and means for controlling the actuating means of the shell displacing means by the actuating means of the shell assembling means.

20. In a shell assembling machine the combination with shell assembling means, of a cylinder and piston for operating said means, shell displacing means whereby the shells may be delivered to a shell holding shuttle, a piston and cylinder for operating the shell displacing means, by-pass fluid pressure connections between the cylinder of the shell. assembling means and the cylinder of the shell displacing means, whereby the pistons of the respective cylinders respectively control each others movements due to lay-passing of the fluid pressure, and means for admitting fluid pressure to, and exhausting it from, said cylinders.

21. In a shell assembling machine, the combination with means for initially arranging the shells in rows, of means for separating the shells of the rows while they remain in their initial row arangement and position.

22. In a shell assembling machine, the combination with means for initially arranging the shells in rows, of means for separating the shells of the rows While they remain in their initial row arrangement and position, and means for thereafter displacing the assembled shells.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my sigmature in presence of two witnesses.

HERBERT TALLEY. Witnesses:

GEO. B. Prrrs, S. V. Loonwoon.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

